Beginning blackjack

Blackjack is one of the oldest and easiest card games to learn how to manipulate and one of the most rewarding card games any first-time casino-bound beginner can play. The simple conceptual rules leave much room for any novice to succeed.

A basic overview of the game can be taught in a mere fifteen minutes, however, the bulk of mastering it like a seasoned casino pro does come from devoting a strenuous effort to the discipline and strategy of this classic French card game standby. For beginning players though, it takes little more than controlling simple math principals like basic addition, combined with a cunning observation of human behavior and a touch of strategy to learn the card game of blackjack.

Because of the varying levels of chance and yet still the opportunity to employ strategic tactics, blackjack is the only casino game at which one stands a chance to truly outsmart and beat the house. Gaining a sharp rise in American player popularity in the 1960’s, blackjack, once called “21” based on the maximum card count total before a hand busts, is now one of the most sought-after card games in casinos worldwide. Another reason this game has sustained and increased in its number of players, is because of the increasing accessibility of online blackjack games. This card game is an “every man’s” game and due to its quick learning time and the advent of Internet gambling sites, there has been a modern revitalization of the game in both real-time and virtual environments.

There is a level of independence in blackjack, and perhaps that solitary sense that a player is facing off individually against the dealer might be part of the appeal. As each player tries to beat the dealer one-on-one, other players are simultaneously doing the same. There is both a social and non-social element to the game play.

Simply learning the ropes of the game is enough to get one started, however, devoting a few hours to attaining the basic strategies of card prediction and card counting is the key to having a higher payout and a better grasp of the more advanced techniques. A short time of practicing these strategic maneuvers will propel a basic player from a run-of-the-mill neighborhood poker night player to a player who would have a great edge in a public casino. If a player knows the more popular and assured strategies like card counting, which is mentally tracking the high and low cards of the deck, blackjack is much simpler to sweep than other card games. Although the house will always have a statistical edge, the component of player choice makes the game sway positively toward the player in a way that no other card game can.

As with most games, experience is another essential component in mastering blackjack play. The casino circuit is the best way to collect the practice needed to excel, because the environment is tense and the play is quick, which can teach a player to acclimate to the speedy wit necessary to win big. However, the online blackjack options and home play are also beneficial and probably more practical for most new players.

The benefits of mastering blackjack are more rewarding than most people imagine. The time invested in learning the game and blackjack strategy produces a feeling of exercising the mind while at the same time enabling a player to take home a little quick pay dirt – a great monetary reward for a few hands of fun card playing.

The history of texas holdem poker

Texas Holdem is a variety of Poker, a card game which originated in the 19th century. The origins of Poker are still disputed to this day, with a number of conflicting accounts about where it came from, and who first played it; similar games exist back to the Renaissance period. The word ‘Poker’ actually comes from the German word ‘pochen’, which means “to knock”.

However, most accounts generally agree that it was French settlers who first played Poker in New Orleans around 1830. It may have been introduced to them by Persian traders, as it bears strong similarities with the 16th century Persian card game As Nas. The popularity of Poker meant that it quickly spread throughout the USA, along the transport routes of rivers and railroads. It became especially popular when played amongst cowboys in the Old West.

Texas Holdem, or Hold’em as it is also known, is today one of the most popular versions of Poker in the world. Although nobody is really sure where this version was first played, it seems clear that Texas was the state of origin! Some reports say that the first ever game was played in Robstown in the 1900s and it spread to Dallas in 1925. Texas Holdem has enjoyed widespread recognition ever since.

The popularity of Texas Holdem was widely increased in 1970. In this year, the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino was opened in Las Vegas by Benny Binion. Binion decided to take over a small invitational Poker tournament from Riverside Casino’s Tom Morehead. What as the name of the tournament? The World Series of Poker and the game of choice was Texas Holdem.

Binion focused on the gambling element of the game by devising the idea of rapidly increasing antes and blinds, so that a winner could be produced within a relatively short space of time. In 1972, 8 players took part in the World Series of Poker tournament; thirty years later, the 8 had increased to 800! This annual tournament is now recognised as the most important in the world. In the last five years, the increasing popularity of televised tournaments means that Texas Holdem has become a part of mainstream television.

Additionally, through modern innovations in technology, Texas Holdem Poker has branched off in new directions. Games can now be played directly through the internet, or even on a cell phone! The game’s simplicity and huge entertainment value have contributed to its popularity, which shows no sign of decrease. Texas Holdem is clearly the most famous Poker game in the world.

Hold em cards right

Poker has the distinction of being one of the oldest card games around. A universal game that can be played anywhere and at anytime, poker transcends languages and locations, and not just confined to casinos or bars. Its burgeoning popularity has given rise to many different types of poker games such as Texas Holdem, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, Better High-Low Stud and various others. It is one of the most popular online gambling games around, as seen with the huge rise in the number of dedicated online poker rooms and poker clubs.

But before you wear your shades, strap on the green visor and throw down your life's savings, you are going to have to know when to hold'em and when to fold'em. It’s probably a good idea when learning the rudiments of the game, to have a firm grasp of the Poker hand rankings and the unique language that you'll hear at the poker table. Burn this information to memory; you'll be glad you did. After all, even though you might be new to this game, there is no need for the other players at the table to know.

Having a strategy going into this game is very important if you want to be taken seriously and convince other players you are the bees knees. So here are some of the basic points you need to keep in mind to keep you one step ahead of your fellow players. The best place to start is at some of the online poker rooms so that you can perfect those skills and variables before playing in the real world

Quick Reminders:

1. When you have a rubbish hand, fold fast.

2. Do not pretend that you are a big spender poker player unless you have the bankroll to back it up. A rule of thumb is that you should have at least 50 times the table limit to play with.

3. If you are lucky enough to hold an unbeatable hand, remember Nicholas Cage in Honeymoon in Vegas and make sure you make the players pay dearly to see it.

4. The first 5/7 cards you receive will be the foundation of your hand. Build your strategy around these. You're not likely to better your opening hand and the odds of improving your hand on the draw are about even.

5. You will soon discover who the strong players are at the table, but it is important that you focus on your own game rather than focusing on trying to beat them. You may risk losing big time if you're not lucky. If you're lucky enough to win, it'll hardly be worth the effort.

7. Commit this to memory: If you can't beat the other hands, don't join them, fold and live to play another day. The table will always be ready when you are. Above all else, try to have fun.

8. Unpredictability can be good. Most pros are able figure out a really loose player by waiting for the nuts and being patient. However, an even easier opponent is a tight player or “rock”, who plays only the Group 1 type hands. You need to change your game up, and let them see that you can run bluffs, and play some lower value starting hands as well. These changes should be subtle and shouldn’t dramatically affect the flop rate.

9. Always learn from others; never be complacent that you know it all. That just gives other players the chance to take advantage of your weakness.

Horse betting brother derek is my bet for the preakness

:
"Barbaro was so overpowering in his Kentucky Derby romp that winning next Saturday's Preakness seems to be a foregone conclusion."
- Associated Press

"Unbeaten Barbaro looks invincible."
- Asbury Park Press

"I'd say he's the best horse I've seen in the past 25 years ... on the dirt, turf, any age group."
- Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens

The 131st Preakness Stakes will be run Saturday at Pimlico and most horsemen are fairly certain that Barbaro will show the rest of his challengers his backside in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Considering that I called this horse to be the winner of the Derby if Bob & John faltered and he did, you would think I would be touting this Michael Martz pupil. Well I am firm believer that adversity brings out the best in us and both trainer Dan Hendricks and his talented three year old Brother Derek, have had their fair share.

If you have been following Triple Crown or have been a reader of my articles recently, you will know that Hendricks was left paralyzed from a motocross accident two years ago. He bounced back with the help of his wife, three sons and some loyal owners and is a topnotch trainer.
Brother Derek wowed the horsemen on the West Coast in the early part of the season and arrived at Churchill Downs as the odds on favorite, to win the “Run for the Roses”. But when the draw was made for the big race, Hendricks talented horse was saddled with the 18 post position in the overcrowded race.

Brother Derek had a bad trip in the Derby, racing wide on the first turn and very wide on the second, while Barbaro had a perfect trip. He probably wouldn't have beaten Barbaro that day anyway, but, with better racing luck, he would have been much closer. His trainer Dan Hendricks believes the effort was as good as any his colt has had in his career.

"I guess you could say it's his best race," he said of the Derby performance. "He made it back. He took dirt. He took adversity. He went wide and he circled the field and he lost a shoe and still finished a very creditable fourth. I could easily say he could have been second. So that's got to be one of his best races."

The Preakness will be a leisurely stroll on the beach compared to the traffic jam in the Derby and Brother Derek can scoot with Barbaro. I think he turns the tables here!

Bob Acton

Online Sports Betting

Some derby contenders have a distinct advantage

Some contenders hold a noticeable advantage before they break from two gates. Others, however, must buck negative trends that go back decades.

For example, no horse with four or fewer career starts has smelled the roses since Exterminator in 1918. So, it does not look good for Showing Up who won the Lexington Stakes on April 22.

Since 1947, the only horse with two preps that won the Kentucky Derby was Sunny's Halo in 1983. That is a bad omen for Private Vow and Sharp Humor.

Barbaro, Sharp Humor, and Flashy Bull, 1-2-7 in the Florida Derby, will attempt to become the first with a layoff of five weeks or more to score since Needles in 1956.

Runners in Gulfstream's showcase race that train up to the Derby have not done well when it is staged in April. There are exceptions, but those Florida Derby winners later won at Louisville: Northern Dancer in 1964 following the Blue Grass and Tim Tam in 1958 after the Derby Trial.

No horse since Proud Clarion in 1967 won without a stakes victory in his or her career. Goodbye Flashy Bull, Jazil, Mister Triester, Steppenwolfer, and Storm Treasure.

An even tougher trend to overcome is finishing fifth or worse in the final prep. Iron Liege last performed the feat in 1957. Thus, the odds are stacked against Deputy Glitters, Flashy Bull, and Seaside Retreat.

A pedigree that combines stamina and speed is a big plus. Point Determined is one example. He is bred to love the 1 1/4 miles and is from the first crop of Point Given, winner of the 2001 sophomore races except The Derby, partly because he only had two preps. Bob and John and Jazil were sired by Seeking the Gold, winner of the 1991 Derby.

Other pluses include horses that won at a mile or longer as a juvenile, but it is not a make or break requirement: Deputy Glitters, Keyed Entry, Mr. Triester, Sinister Minister, Steppenwolfer, and Sweetnorthernsaint won without meeting it.

Many horses over the years have failed to handle the Churchill Downs surface. Therefore, arriving early at Louisville and working over the track is important.

Three workouts, with one marked handily, are ideal and indicate the horse should respond when asked to stretch out.

However, it really all comes down to who will put it all together and get a clean trip on May 6.

Bet the Kentucky Derby and all Triple Crown Races @ Wagerweb. com Racebook

Rocks at the poker table

This article will focus on how to spot and defeat any rock at the poker table. First, I will define a “rock” as a poker player who plays very few starting hands, yet plays aggressive when he/she decides to play a pot. I was recently playing in a NL 5 – 10 poker game at a local club. After about an hour, I had a pretty decent read on everybody at the table. There was one player who really stood out to me. It was a young guy and he hardly played a hand. He sat there and as this article was created in my mind that night, so was an ultimate strategy against rock players. He was not only going to be my victim that night he was also going to be my guinea pig, my study guide for how the mind of a “rock” poker player works.

I noticed many things about this guy that were sure signs for anyone who was paying attention, that this guy was a TIGHT PLAYER. The first thing you obviously notice is that they do not play a lot of starting hands. They usually fold, in fact almost always fold unless they are in the blinds or have a strong hand. The second thing I noticed is that this guy kept counting and rearranging his chips every 2 seconds like he was losing them or something. Like seriously man, you haven’t played a pot in half an hour why in the world are you still counting your chips – they haven’t moved! A third thing I found while studying this guy was that he slouched every hand… except for when he had a strong hand! In fact this guy was such a rock that I would call him a robot because he perked up everytime he found 10 10 or up. Now I have to admit, this was a pretty strong NL table and there were also a couple of drunks donating. With that being said, I had to laugh when even the drunk guys folded every time this rock tried to come in with a raise. That leads me into the next section of this article, how to easily handle any rock poker player once you have identified them.

Now that you know what to look for in a rock we can proceed on how to handle them. Like I just mentioned, I could barely help myself from laughing at this guy every time he entered a pot. I knew he had something strong it was written all over his face. The fact is – when these rocks enter the pot, they have the goods. If you see high cards on the flop, you can be pretty sure they have got a piece of it or already have a high pocket pair. Just fold pre-flop. Yes I said it and since it is the drop dead only way to play against rocks I’ll say it again – Just fold pre-flop. Unless you have AA, AK-AQs, KK, or QQ you are most definitely beat. So just fold. The funniest thing about this particular guy was, that everyone knew it and folded pre-flop when ever he entered with a raise. It was truly amusing as this guy got peeved and started playing crap hands. But this is where I noticed a new tell of our friend the guinea pig, he would still erect his posture when holding strong hands but when he tried to limp in with crap to throw us off he remained hunched over the table and his drink. At this point you just play off of the rock’s tells. You’ve got to remember that tight poker players are usually tight because they don’t like losing money and they like poker to be a mechanical grind slowly increasing their bankroll. Throw them off one or two hands and a rock turns into something their not – a loose or just frustrated poker player – one that you can take advantage of the rest of the session.

To sum up this strategy guide against rock poker players, firstly you have to identify the tight rocks at your table. This can be done by their appearance, the number of hands they play, how they play them, and even how they stack their chips or hold themselves. Once you have identified them and what kind of strong hands they play, you get out of their way unless you have a premium hand yourself. Proceed to play them like a puppet until they get off their game and take advantage of them the rest of the night.

The nhl playoffs are here does anyone care

Last night marked the end of the first NHL season since the strike/lockout of 2004-2005. The Stanley Cup playoffs -- arguably the most exciting tournament in sports -- begin Friday night, but will anybody be watching, other than Don Cherry and Barry Melrose?

While attendance was up in 75% of NHL arenas this season, the sport continues to struggle to attract new fans. The league has slipped to No. 5 in popularity for many, behind the NFL, NBA, MLB and NASCAR.

The Good Old Days

Back in the days when the NHL was on national TV two or three nights a week, it was easy to get into the game. There were always great players and great teams to keep us interested. The rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens in the ’70s was as intense as the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is now. Wayne Gretzky and the great Edmonton teams of the ’80s were amazing to watch, and Mario Lemieux’s dominance and Mark Messier’s resurrection of the New York Rangers kept us going through the ’90s.

There are a host of young players today who should be garnering our accolades, but because of a lack of exposure and poor marketing by the league, these would-be household names are after-thoughts in the sports world. We all know Jaromir Jagr, Joe Sakic and Teemu Selanne, but how many of us know Eric Staal (100 points), Ilya Kovalchuk (52 goals) and Brian Gionta (46 goals)?

Some amazing accomplishments were achieved this season, including the Detroit Red Wings’ astounding 124 points (fifth-best total in league history), rookies Sidney Crosby of the Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals both topping the 100-point mark, and Jonathan Cheechoo becoming the first Native American (called First Nations people in his native Canada) to win the goal-scoring title with 56.

Always Interested

There’s one group of fans that is interested in just about every game in every sport -- the gamblers. Hockey traditionally has been a great sport to bet on, especially early in the season. The oddsmakers often have a hard time handicapping the sport that they are not that familiar with, leaving gamblers plenty of opportunity for easy money. With that in mind, here is how the first round of the NHL playoffs shapes up in this gambler’s mind:

Detroit and Dallas are in familiar positions atop the Western Conference standings. The Red Wings, who became the first team in 10 years to go through an entire season without being shutout, should score early and often as they dismantle the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. Detroit wins in a sweep.

Colorado is always a tough out, but the Avalanche dropped 3 straight and 4 of their last 5 to end the season. The Stars’ stingy defense will be the difference in a low-scoring series. Dallas wins 4 games to 1.

Calgary with probable Vezina Trophy winner Miikka Kiprusoff in net should have no problem eliminating Anaheim in 6 games.

The other first-round Western Conference matchup may be the best of all. Nashville finished the season winning 6 straight, including the season finale vs. Detroit, and posted the league’s best home record at 32-8-1. San Jose features Hart Trophy candidate and the league’s leading scorer Joe Thornton, along with the aforementioned Cheechoo. Look for a high-scoring, entertaining series with the Sharks winning a seventh game in Nashville.

Champs Still Alive

Over in the Eastern Conference, the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning staved off late charges from Toronto and Atlanta to grab the eighth spot. The champs face multiple-time first-round loser Ottawa to begin their defense of the title, and the Senators are ripe for an upset again. Ottawa limped into the playoffs, finishing 2-4-2 in its last 8 games. The loss of Dominik Hasek hasn’t helped, either. Tampa wins 4 games to 2.

Carolina, despite being shutout in its last game and dropping to the No. 2 seed, should be tough to beat. Montreal’s rookie goalie Cristobal Huet came out of nowhere to post an impressive 2.14 GAA and a league-leading .930 save percentage. He will have a tough task in trying to slow down the Hurricanes’ high-scoring offense. Carolina advances in 7.

The Rangers-Devils should be a fun one for the New York fans. New Jersey is the hottest team in the league. The Devils scored 3 goals in the third period to complete a 4-3 comeback last night against the Canadiens for their 11th straight victory. The win clinched the Atlantic Division for New Jersey, which trailed Philadelphia by 19 points on Jan. 6. With momentum and experience on their side, the Devils will hold down Jagr and eliminate New York in 5 games.

The last first-round series features the upstart Buffalo Sabres vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, who have to be disappointed that they did not hold on to win the division. The key to this series will be the health of Flyers star center Peter Forsberg. If he can make it through the entire series, Philly has a chance, but Buffalo’s hard-hitting defense won’t make it easy for him. Buffalo wins in 7.

Whatever the outcome, I’m looking forward to watching some great playoff hockey. Nothing matches the intensity of sudden death overtime or the elation and pain of a seventh game.

World cup 2006 preview - spain

Outright Odds: 14/1

Group H Winners: 4/6

Spain, yet again, are tipped as dark horses for the World Cup and 2006 will finally end years of disappointment and this generation of players will fulfil their undoubted potential. But they won’t. For all their individual talent they can never motivate themselves to rise to the challenge.

They are, of course, mainstays of the World Cup and 2006 will be their eight tournament in a row they have qualified for dating back to 1978. The quarter finals is as far as they have gone since then so why the obsession that this will be “their year”?

Spain qualified via the play-offs after finishing runners-up to Serbia & Montenegro in their group. Luis Aragones’ side were unbeaten in 10 qualifiers but five draws and five wins meant they needed to square – off against Slovakia in order to secure their place in Germany. It was all over after the first leg as Spain ran out 5-1 winners before drawing 1-1 in the return leg to win 6-2 on aggregate.

Perhaps the cause for such optimism lies with the manager. Under Aragones, Spain are unbeaten in 18 games since he took over in July 2004, although the players must also take some credit.

Spain have unearthed a real attacking talent in Fernando Torres. The 21-year-old Atletico Madrid striker was the European qualifying zone’s joint fourth top goalscorer with seven goals and he is a target for both Arsenal and Chelsea. Torres is seen as the natural successor to Spain’s most-capped outfield player and all-time leading goalscorer Raul.

At 28, Raul should be at his peak for the finals but a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in November raises questions over just how influential he will be. One more excuse for a potentially underachieving tournament?

September’s qualifier against Serbia & Montenegro set a new record as it was the first time a foreign club, Liverpool, had more representatives in the national squad than any Spanish club side. Will the likes of Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia transfer their excellent club performances onto the grand stage? While Fernando Morientes, with five goals in seven World Cup appearances means he is a threat even though his domestic form has been somewhat indifferent.

Recommended Bet

The notorious underachievers face a tough opening match prospect in the Ukraine and will need to get up to speed for their remaining two matches which they will be fully expected to win. The opening match will also be Ukraine’s first ever World Cup appearance and with both sides keen to avoid defeat, a draw is the likely result.

Spain vs Ukraine draw @ 11/5